In the bioencapsulation field, we focus on using silica-based gels to encapsulate enzymes, mammalian cells and bacteria for a variety of applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. Understanding the cell-gel interactions, optimization of the gel properties and enhancing its cytocompatibility, while ensuring that the technologies we develop in the lab can rapidly be translated into industrial use are our main goals. Currently, our main focus is on; 1) encapsulating bacteria for bioremediation of herbicides and hydrocarbons from water, and 2) encapsulation of mammalian cells for phenotype-based cancer cell isolation.

In the biostabilization field, we focus on understanding macromolecule-ice interactions in freezing, and lyophilized pharmaceutical formulations, mainly using low temperature FTIR and Raman spectroscopy techniques. We also focus on understanding the thermodynamics and kinetics of biostabilization with specific emphasis on development of efficient and alternative stabilization and storage technologies.

Baris will be presenting his poster "REACTION/TRANSPORT MODELLING of a BIOCATALYST ENCAPSULATED in a SILICA GEL MATRIX" at the Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference in Snowbird, Utah from June 17th-21st.